Pages from m u m vol 7 10593

M AGI G

No. 55

MIGHT

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Vol. 7

MAINLY ABOUT MAGICIANS metal workers, carpenters, cabinet makers, stage carpenters, property men, plaster molders, photographers, scene ILLUSIONS ARE VALUABLE IN WAR painters, and sign painters will tna"e un this force of UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SEEKS INVENTIVE emergency magicians. There are in store for them plenty of ecitement and no end of opportunity to use their wits.

MYSTIFIERS! MAGICIANS TO THE FRONT Call for "Fakers" to Fool Germans—American Camouflage Tales are told of how they have set up dummy cannon Corps Wants More Artists and Skilled Mechanics. that recoiled and flashed a puff of smoke under the eyes A Chance for Adventure—Ingenious Men Make of hostile airplanes, while the genuine rifles fired from Dummy Cannon, Papier-Mache Horses, and their concealed pits some hundreds of yards away. Old Other Means of Deceiving Enemy. ooots, lying out beyond the trench parapet, and broken The first American camouflage company is now being stakes from destroyed barbed wire entanglements have organized for service in France. In official English, the concealed periscopes for weeks. A papier-mache, steel camoufleur "practices the art of military concealment," lined counterfeit of a dead horse or a shell-blasted tree but a more literal translation of the French music hall trunk has proved an excellent observing post. Airplane phrase, for thata. is what it is^ proves him to be a "faker." sheds have looked like wheat fields and railroad trains The camoufleur is to the modern soldier what the handiest like workingmen's cottages. bush was to the American Indian. Fighting from cover The military nature faker had his heartiest reason for first developed from that savage warfare and now has laughing when it came to painting a river over a bridge. developed to a point where specialists in all manner of That happened once when a vital river crossing near an devices for concealing the whereabouts and designs of our important town was shelled every day by the Germans with such success that the engineers could scarcely make it safe for even a few hours of travel at night. So a new bridge was built and rested peacefully daytimes under a river-painted canvas that could be rolled back at night, while the former bridge needed only to be patched up from time to time to act as a decoy for the persistent German shell firei Though the work has long been organized abroad, in this land it is only beginning, so that wherever ingenious, young men are looking for special entertainment in the way of fooling the Germans, they may address the Chief of Engineers, War Department, Washington, D. C.—N. Y. Times, Sep. 4, 1917.

U. S. GOVERNMENT SEEKS MYSTIFIERS

Ching Ling Foo had several disastrous fires, first, the theatre he owned in Hankow, and then his home in Shanghai. The loss is over $200,000, and the greatest loss to Ching, is that all his illusions that had been specially made for him in America were swept away. The majority of American illusions are new in China.

Illustrious Charles Roltare has gradually forged ahead and is now manager of the Big Time, Keith Theatre, in Indianapolis, Ind. He is making good. We are proud to know of his advancement and extend congratulations.

THE WIZARD —Carter in Philadelphia Press

Reproduced by courtesy of Philadelphia Press troops from the eyes of the enemy are grouped together in military units.

Therefore, the Chief of Engineers in the War Department is looking for handy and ingenius men who are ready to fight one minute and practice their trade the next. Wherever a machine gun is set up, or a trench is taken and reversed, or a battery of artillery goes into action, or a new road is opened, or a new bridge is built, or a sniper climbs an old building, or an officer creeps out into an advanced post to hear and observe, there must go the camouflage man to spread his best imitation of the magic veil of invisibility. Iron workers, sheet

Our Compeer David Devant has made a most generous contribution (fifty guineas) to the Memorial Fund to commemorate the late John Nevil Maskelyn. See letter on next page.

T. Nelson Downs is still in Marshalltown, la., and highly prosperous.

Chung Ling Soo is back in England, having abandoned his tour around the world.

Our Dean, Harry Kellar, will be with us at meeting November third.

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS A BOOK BY PROFESSOR HOFFMAN

Some time ago Prof. Hoffman mailed me the manuscript of a new book, "Latest Magic," and after due consideration a committee was callet together who decided the most feasible way fr introduce this book is to have a subscription for same started by American magicians.

The book will be sold for One Dollar (postage to be added) and every penny of profit will be given to Prof. Hoffman. It is possibly that each book may bear the autograph of the author, and in this way every magician will have a book signed by a man who has been one of the big lights of Magical Lore.

HOUDINI.

"September issue is fine."—Thus writes the genial editor of Sphinx, but then our illustrious Compeer, Dr. Wilson, is always a most ardent advocate for the S. A. M., and in a recent letter he wrote: "I am with you and will continue to work for the S. A. M. even more strenuously than heretofore."

"THE MASKELYNE MEMORIAL FUND." Secretary, The Society of American \Magicians.

Dear Sir: A proposal for this Memorial is taking shape, a London Committee has been formed consisting of about a score of well known professional and amateur conjurers, of which I have the honor of being Chairman. If you have not already joined this Committee I hope you will do so at once, so that your name may appear on the appeal we are about to issue to the "Magical World."

We expect a similar Committee will be formed in New York and possibly other centres. It has been decided to collect the subscriptions of members, or prospective members of the organizing committee before making the wider appeal, and thus head the list with what I hope will be a substantial sum.

It is intended to found a Fund for the assistance of conjurors and their relatives in times of distress, to be called "THE NEVIL- MASKEELYN BENEVOLENT FUND." This we hope will be a lasting memorial to the great name of John Nevil Maskelyne, and one which I feel sure would have appealed strongly to him, as doing good to others, while perpetuating his life long work and genius in upholding the dignity and enhancing the reputation of Magic as an ART. If funds permit, and permission can be obtained, it is also intended to put a small memorial tablet in some place associated with our old friend, viz.: the site of the Egyptian Hall, or the facade of St. George's Hall, and to issue to subscribers of say not less than one guinea, some pictoral memento of Mr. Maskelyne.

In the course of the next few weeks an appeal embodying these proposals, or approved alterations, will be widely circulated, together with a first list of subscribers.

Please let me have your views, and whether we can depend upon your hearty support.

Sums varying from fifty guineas to one guinea have already been promised for the above scheme.

Yours faithfully, DAVID DEVANT.

Subscriptions from magicians in America will be received by the Secretary of the Society of American Magicians to whom they are asked to report.

Illustrious Jules Zancig has now settled in New York City.

Mr. Kit Clarke is busy on an article, "Gift Show Magicians," which promises to be as ir teresting, if not more so, than "Outwitting Herrmans' Manager."

Madame Adelaide Herrmann is back in New York, and woman-like, fixing,up all her costumes.

The Madame is our only lady member.

Representatives appointed by President Houdini for the ensuing year are: W. D. Leroy, 103 Court St., Boston Mass.; A. M. Wilson, M.D., 708 Waldheim Bldg., Kansas City, Mo.; F. W. Bilger, Oakland Bank of Savings Bldg., Oakland, Cal.; Wm. A. Russell, 9 Pearl St., Batavia, N. Y.; Geo. W. Heller, At Large, 873 Broadway, N. Y. City; L. C. Zelleno, Esterville, Iowa; David E. Stift, At Large, 2401 S. Girard Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.

111. Charles Wm. Weick has been honored with Sabbatical privilege from his arduous duties at Columbia College for an extended period of time.

He now seeks recuperation in the exhilorating atmosphere of the Catskill Mountains.

Carl Hertz writes that things Magical are just going along in England.

Leroy Talma and Bosco are on the United Time.

P. P. Sargent has charge of the affiliation of hands.

Dr. Homburger is back from his vacation, and at the meeting looked bronzed as an Indian.

Trustee Harry Kline is on an extended business trip in connection with his phonograph appliances.

SOME STUNT. In a newspaner, dated January 31, 1746, we find the following theatrical announcement: "We are certainly informed that on Monday next, at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, will be performed the 'Lying Valet," and that Mr. Steevens, at the particular desire of some persons of quality, is to act the part of Justice Guttle, in which character he will devour twelve pounds of plum cake at three mouthfuls.

—London Mirror, 1827.

(This works out at four pounds per mouthful—"Angels and Ministers of Grace defend us."

(Sent in by Robert Evanion, London, England.)

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS

EDITED BY THE PRESIDENT

Published Monthly by The Society of American Magician for its members—to Perpetuate Biography of Magicians past and present.

Prices for advertising space with special discount to members on application, Address all communications to— OSCAR S. TEALE, Secretary, 240 Broadway, New York City.

•oss ORGANIZED — MAY 10, 1902 INCORPORATED, APRIX. 3, 1908 HARRY H O U D I N I , PRESIDENT (Palace Theatre Bldg.)

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SECOND VICE PRESIDENT R U L L M A N N , TREASURER 1431 UNIVERSITY AVENUE, N. Y. CITY

OSCAR S. TEALE, SECRETARY ffimmril

24O

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. OFFICAL ORGAN IN AMERICA: THE SPHINX OFEICAL ORGAN IN GREAT BRITON: THE MAGAZINE OF MAGIC

NEW MEMBERS Life Members—Samuel C. Hooker, Ph.D., No. 530; Charles J. Carter, No. 531; Theo. Weiss Hardeen, No. 533; Arnold De Biere, No. 536.

Regular Members—Edward Joseph Faehnle, No. 529; Edward E. Duryee, No. 532; Harold Rea Fitch, No. 534; William A. Raistrick, No. 535; Henry Austin Brooks, No. 537.

APPLICATIONS Frank Lenz, endorsed by Otto Hornmann, Oscar S. Teale.

Dr. John Millard Lee, endorsed by Harry Kellar, Oscar S. Teale.

THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS The One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Regular Meeting of the Society was held at the Magical Palace, 493 Sixth Avenue, New York, on Saturday evening, October 6, 1917, with an unusually large attendance.

The meeting was opened promptly at 8*15 by M. 111. President Harry Houdini, in full ceremonial form.

Other Lofficers present: 1st Vice-Prest. Burrows; 2nd Vice-Prest. Laurens; Treasurer Rullmann ; Secretary P. P. Teale; Sergeant-at-Arms Domitz, with 111. P. P. Sargent, Werner, Homburger and Van Dien.

The following candidates were elected by unanimous votes: Charles J. Carter, Arnold De Biere, Theodore Weiss Hardeen, Samuel C. Hooker, Ph.D., Edward E. Duryee, Edward Joseph Faehnle, Harold Rea Fitch, William A. Raistrick, after which De Biere, Hardeen, Fitch and Raistrick were initiated.

In conferring the mysteries the new ritual was used for the first time as prepared by a Committee of Revision.

The ceremony was particularly interesting and impressive. The Committee has done its work well. The new ritual should prove an added attraction.

Propositicns for membership received from Frank Lenz and Dr. John Millard Lee. Notice was received of the call by the Master Magician to 111. Compeer Wm. F. Schneider, who died at Newark, N. J., October 4, 1917. Also 111. Compeer Robert M. Kellogg, information having been received of his death which occurred during the Spring of 1917, The customary rites were observed in commemoration.

The death of the father of 111. Jos. J. Quod, also of a daughter of 111. C. J. Hagen, was also reported.

M. 111. Houdini reported having manuscript copy of a new book written by Prof. Hoffman, a detailed description of which will be found elsewheie in this issue.

P. P. Sargent, having been selected to represent Golden Gate Assembly in the Council. 111.

McWilliams was elected to fill the vacancy in the Council of the parent body.

One of the very many pleasant features of the meeting was the reappearance of P. P. Werner, who has recovered from his late, trying illness.

He was welcomed with deserved warmth. The meeting closed at 11:15.

Reported by RICHARD VAN DIEN.

NEXT

MONTHLY

MEETING

NOVEMBER 3rd N. Y. HIPPODROME PROGRAM TO BE SELECTED ALL MEMBERS TO THE FRONT (SEE BACK PAGE)

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS BATTLES OF FAMOUS MYST1FIERS.

By Harry

Houdlnl.

(Copyrighted) T H i MATHEWS-ANDERSON CONTROVERSY,

In this rapid age and the scarcity of authentic history of magic and magicians; the world in general does not know that at one time in England (1858) a bitter argument waged between John Henry Anderson, "Wizard of the North," the greatest advertising magician that ever lived, and Charles James Mathews, a renowned English light comedian, who appeared in America three tours, a son of the great Charles Mathews who is conceded to have been one of the greatest all around actors that ever lived.

The Great Elder Mater

Charles Mathews, born June 28th, 1776, London, England, originated a style of entertainment which he named "Mathews at home" and in this he gave a most diversified performance, as can be seen from the programme herewith produced, in connection with which hd presented a clever lot of magical experiments.

The Elder Mathews created quite a sensation in America during each of his: engagements. His first was the later part of 1822, and being a peculiar man, his letters written to Mrs. Mathews, who remained at home, are highly interesting. In one of them he describes Hoboken (having been forced to go there because the cholera epidemic raged in New York at the time of his arrival), as "a moat romantic and beautiful village four miles across an arm of the sea from New York."

He made his first appearance in Baltimore, September

of artists, foremost of whom may be mentioned, Bernardi, Signor Pepi, Gezzi. The most versatile one I have ever seen being Segemor, who I believe was the first to have a life size walking figure in a ventriloqual act. The change artist in the eye of the public at present moment is Chic Sales and he is riding the high wave of success.

Coleridge once said "You call him a mimic; I define him as a comic poet acting his own poems."

Mathews, according to his letters, refused $500 weekly salary. He sends his wife a detailed account of having drawn as his share, £800 in eight nights, making about $500 per night, although he states that £100 is only $444, which I persume must have been the amount according to the rate of exchange at that time. This will give an idea what a wonderful drawing card he was, and when you take into consideration that he gave the entire performance alone, it is wonderful.

NEW THEATRE. Mr. MATHEWS' BENEFIT. m*~* Friday Evening, March T, 1 8 M , TfiB U pnieatH • hnariu ConWj, tilled

Or, the Strolling Gcntloueu.

.Sr-

la A.*. U, * • fkrnrit* CH.II S H ( rf

1

The Nightingale CUib,' by Mr. Matliewe.

U kH 4*. \t w.H mi(« put gf

Hamlet's Adyicc to the Players, HTU

TM* MVt.ttB OF

Mr. Kerablo, Mr. Cooker, Mr. Young.

Mr. Kean, Mr. InoUdon.

Altar vbtlt, (Mctmt Hv) 4M H I I m t .f tb.

jActor of all Work.

The hamoart of a London Play-home.

Programme of Malhew's early New York engagement But, after all, I am afraid Mathews did not fare so well as he had to pay his English Manager £2,000 for permission to go to America, and with the yellow fever raging in America, made him lose a lot of engagements and time, which cost him a large sum of money besides the risk of contracting that malady.

Plate Showing the Elder Mathews in his Unique Entertainment Mathews revisited America in 1834, but was, alas, a down man. The unfortunate accident with the 23rd, in "Mathews in Paris," and writes of his reception broken "tilbury" bothered him so much eventually, that his work thus:—"They roared and screeched as if they had never caused extreme pain and he was in agony while the heard of anything comical before." In his "At Homes," audiencehim would roll with laughter. having been thrown from a "tilbury" (a kind of "gig" without a top) he was somewhat incapacitated (lamed).

Consequently he resorted to what he termed a Table Ridiculed American People.

Entertainment, having props consisting of wigs and wardrobe behind the table, and the entertainment consisting On a r r i v i n g in New York h e w a s dismayed t o l e a r n t h a t of anecdote and jest pointed with songs; all combined t h e r e w a s a s t r o n g public feeling a g a i n s t him, owing t o in lively monologue, giving imitations and impersonations s t a t e m e n t s t h a t h e h a d ridiculed A m e r i c a n people in of many queer people he had encountered, which was his " M a t h e w s in America," which h e b a d w r i t t e n after followed by a farce, every character of which he himself his visit t o America. Mathews, however, w o n o u t b y reassumed, making quick changes and aided by his skill producing t h e entire performance a s shown in England in ventriloquism. and c a m e o u t with flying colors. H i s last performance in Pioneer Change Artist.

In fact, he was a fore-runner of the Great Protean artist Fregoli, who gave the entire entertainment a score of years ago in New York City, and was the sensation of the season. Since that time we have had a number

t h e S t a t e s w a s F e b r u a r y 11, 1834, in New York, a s "Coddle" in "Married Life," and in one of h i s table e n t e r t a i n m e n t s entitled " L o n e House." H i s last a p p e a r a n c e in England w a s a t Richmond, previous t o h i s d e p a r t u r e for America, and s t r a n g e t o say, on t h e v e r y s t a g e w h e r e in 1793 h e m a d e h i s a c t u a l first a p p e a r a n c e .

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS During his first appearance in America, Cooke, Kean, Phillipe and himself were the heroes of ticket speculators,

MR MATHEWS AT HOME, f, MONDAY, Jforee,», 1828, ' Whee, Lc Kill Jdivct.hu popular E n n i U l n m i l , in TTO P.rtt, a l l x i

A Trip to America.

P A X t T X* Exordium—TWiits—EmbdriuBg on Bo«rd UM fFiUuia Thonptm—S^tiking Trumpet—Whim»ical Coincidttoaof Nmoe*—Y«lk-F F ^ w — I * Sight of New Y m k — L t a d * Hoboken-Ne^ Dm n l wi c !i_English Iwpt>rtatioc»-Jatl Tcphao. and lu» Coiajn Bray—Waterloo Hctri, Livjpocl, coMMited with Washington Hotel, Elizabeth Town—Amerit^n PJtrav& expounded—(JC-QI Landlord—Hot WiTHvwArrival at llrUtol, in Anirciv—Fir»t Appearance at Baltimore—Piulad*!uiifc—StexmBont a«d S t a n Coach Clurtctvt—AmTal at N c v Yurk—

SOKQ-KTBB ftBJbDIBSV 2K)£JEIDinQ-HOTJSE. H a n Chancten—AJMrican Pita—Mr lUvontop, tho Amtricm JcatcB—Major Grimenone, " »ny weir—-Mr Fenian j l m — A fltricsurt. on, Engtub I W U u — W w _ P a b l ] c Dmner-fimwwl Jack.on—French Poet L«ura.t—

ffO9f Q-O3>B TO GEWB&&X, JACKSON.

Charles James Mathews.

Charles James Mathews was born December 26, 1803, and this is the gentleman who crossed swords with John Henry Anderson. Mathews had an eventful career, his first wife being the famous beauty, Madame Vestris, a grand-daughter of the historical engraver, Bartolozzi.

Daughter of Gaetano Bartolozzi, professor of Music and dancing and from whom she evidently inherited her passionate nature through which she managed to find a place in "Amatory Biography." Her father is said to have fled from Germany to France to avoid unpleasantness arising from sundry amorous adventures. He married Mile. Terasa, a pianist, and the result of the union was Eliza Lucy Bartolozzi, born in Marylebone Parish, 1797.

Gifted by nature with a wonderful personality, moreover she was an exceptionally clever dancer, also possessing a

AnDT-r.IrrihMkr Regal irf-M ,»*.*•. *ml UrabrelW— 6 B O ^ O - M l L I T I i WUSTEH FOLK. J P A H T K . A t t w i Tb.atr.-BUd; I median-" T-.be, or not to bo"— BOIKO—bPQBSOSS U P A O D K T R E 3 L (HEAL. NEGRO MELODY.) XMnltic««f fee Word ?i«i«-J«cU Topivtw c« the &tlv»~Aimal at Boiton—Biuket'i HiU-A E » L Yankte-Jon. tban W. Dtmbflons iiid hi» (Jnd> Ben—Jotin and Jonathan oil " / ruett," and '• you knots"-- Monsieur Mdlet—Electiw—

80KO-30UTOH P08-KM>FFltiE. rnulJiiri rmiu i i fer Kt SI»thew» to p«rfornt—Cotut W Jo«ice—Chargs to the Jury—Emigratiou dJKoungtd b j • BritMh F»itutr_J3i-bUd Good» and Chxtdi—

ffoita

Aflat wiwi be pcrfor«jod tk» Fane railed

Jonathan in England Kr J-wka W. DoaUUi!, B l « t YtakM, bT Mr MATHEW3, enttanM, «it1«] ia Mr STANLEY, ( Mr DENUAM, Wifi* M tk* Witefo. H«d, tr/ Mr A N D I M O N il4bMNtCOL b> Ui« M MIJKKAY. UM Perormace baam at S e v e r d the Sec P , which if expected to terminate about half-peat Nine o'clock.

T«-Morrqw, Mr MATUC — will n m t f hia celebrated Entertainment, in Two Parta, called T H E H O M E C l m n i l T . O R C O C K N E Y OUS&HIHCI8, WDrch wo, MI Saturday Evenme recciTciI thr«ti£bout witb abouu of Laughter and Applause, exceeding tnj, evan •f Mr MATtiswa' rant popular EntcrtainjMnta. After which, at the particular requertof aereral Ladiea and Gentleman who were diaappoinied *f proenrulg plaon M SctartJaj, will be repeated the highly popular Faroe called ttr Wnfiaat Bafir by Ur MACKAY—Mth* Snaaaab by Mr MAS&N—LicoLawf Haaaaaab by Mr THORKE-^ie. Mr MOKRAY. On Wedw«lay, Mr H . n m will appear aa I h ' a i U ^ ^ j M C o i a d r oTThe POOR GENTLEMAN, n d Moo. aieerr MpAiuo io the celebrated Farce railed On Tnoradar, Mr UamBWa win periena.

On Friday wilt be performed the Ceaaeriy ef W I L D 0 A T S U . I 3 H E JEALOUS ?—end

„

THE SLEEPING DRAUGHT.

a O I W FOX THE BJU.BMT O r MK MATHEWg, AHD LAST I9TG8T OP BIS

The Programme that nearly caused MaihewB appearance in America lo be a fiasco

and mob scenes were enacted by the wild populace trying to buy admissions to see these giants of the stage.

Madame Vestris f Mrs. C. J. Mathews)

remarkable voice'; she was without a rival for many years.

A wonderful manageress and the first to furnish stage sets in a luxuriant manner. She married Armand Vestris January 8, 1813, a ballet master and principal dancer of Kings Theatre, who she left after a short time. On the eve of departure to America, she married Charles J. Mathews, which was practically conditioned by Price, the American manager, to stifle talk regarding private news.

Recently that gave offense to the American public, Dut Mathews eventually managed to squash this feeling, but too late, and it was indirectly through this American failure that brought him endless court troubles for years to come.

Death of Madame Vestris.

He returned to America in 1857, Madame Vestris having died August 8, 1856, after lingering illness, and through . some circumstance, concerning which the less said the better, he married the divorced wife of A. H. Davenport, Lizzie Weston Davenport, the day after the divorce was granted.

Charles James Mathews

He died June 28, 1835, on his fifty-ninth birthday. His widow Mrs. Ann Mathews, wrote his memoirs in four volumes which can be found in almost any library.

Mrs. Ann Mathews.

She made him a good wife and he lived with her happily for many years. Mrs. Anne Mathews, his mother (according to Ireland's History of the New York Stage), was a Miss Ann Jackson, an actress of merit and a half sister to the celebrated Miss Kelly, was born in 1772 and died February 12, 1869, aged 87. She collected material

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS relative to her son's life from 1822 up to her demise; she filled a number of books with clippings, letters, notations, with anything in which his name appeared or that alluded to him. A few months ago I managed to secure this collection; they are now in my library and

in which he burlesqued Anderson and made such a hit that Anderson, who was always ready to protect himself, retaliated by engaging Leigh Murry and put on a "squib" which he called "Tit For Tat,' or "Professor Anderson's Interview with an Impudent Puppy," the concluding words having evident reference to the character recently played

by Mr. Charles Mathews in the last Translation of Un Monsieur qui suit les Femmes. And as the newspaper said under date of January 14, 1856, "The spirit of the advertisements cannot be mistaken, and from the reports

Mrs. Ann Mathews (Mother of C. J Mathews)

fully appreciated .

(A touch of sentiment strikes me every time I open the books, knowing their history, and from them I have obtained the facts used in this article.)

After his mother's death, Mathews decided to make a trip around the world: quite a task at his age, but which he managed to do with great credit. He had a peculiar life, having been incarcerated, dragged into courts a number of times for not being able to meet his obligations, and wrote very interestingly about hi-, exreri^uces in Lancaster Castle, wherein he resided against his wiK But he died happy and prosperous at the age of seventyfive, June 28, 1878, having lived a life filled with experiences such as do not come to many men.

John Henry Anderson, "The Wizard of the North," was born on the estate of Craigmyle, Paris of Kincardine O'Neil Aberdeenshire, July 15, 1814, and died February, 1874, in Darlington, England. For almost half a century lie toured the universe with his magical show and I believe was the greatest advertising magician that ever lived. His success was so great that when Robert Houdin was engaged at the St. James Theatre in 1846, Anderson, who had just returned from a sensational tour on the continent with gorgeous presents from the Czar of Russia, Houdin felt piqued, and when he retired, shot a few bolts at Anderson's reputation and skill which was entirely uncalled for, and in my book, "The Unmasking of Robert Houdin," details concerning it will be found.

Suffice it to say that when Houdin had retired, Anderson was still a welcome entertainer, and only for unfortunate speculations, a. number of disastrous fires and billed as "The Wizard of the North," all of which helped to keep him on the grind in his old age.

It appears that in 1856, Anderson, having played the Lyceum Theatre and packing them in at every performance (just after Charles James Mathews had met with defeat at the same theatre), he engaged the Covent Garden Theatre.

The Great Gun Trick.

C. J. Mathews (whose father had performed magical feats in his day), seeing that the public wanted mystery, had a skit written which he called "The Great Gun Trick,"

John Henry Anderson in his Prime

that have been suffered to ooze out from those crevices in the Theatre that are to be found in every building where a large body of men are employed, we learn that the object of the farce is not merely to satirize the dra> matic performances of the opposite, but it abounds in allusions to the private character of the individuals against which it is directed. We sincerely hope that we have been mis informed," etc., -etc., etc. This started a battle in which the public and _ newspapers' took sides.

(To be continued)

A REAL FISH STORY, WITHOUT A REEL.

Our Dean Kellar sends the following which he styles: "A good and true Magish story for M. U. M.—This morning, Mr. & Mrs. Buck and I made a trip through Topango Canyon and on the way stopped at a pool in the stream for cur picnic. The pool had several fine rainbow trout, but, as we had no tackle I tried my skill as a primitive man and caught two beautiful trout with my bare hands. I am sure no one but a Magician could have done this."

The above was contained in a letter to our president and contains other allurements and tantalizing experiences, to wit: "We are having delightful weather and the Canyons are just full of wild flowers. Deer are so plentiful that there is seldom a day when we don't see two or three in the Canyons. Surely this is a paradise for the motorists." Dean Kellar, by the way, is an expert, and guides one of the smoothest riding cars that ever rolled along, as he has all possible improvements and equipments, we know by experience.